Gawker: Writers strike

Congratulations, Returning Writers

Nick Denton — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:34:54 EST

Leaders of the writers strike declared a "huge victory" over the suits when they won a larger share of revenues from internet video. Oh yes? One of those suits, Les Moonves of CBS, says the TV network learned during the stoppage that it didn't need nearly as many expensive scripts and pilots. Explaining healthy earnings, he says: "I think there's been a lot of wasted spending...You don't need to spend $5 million on a pilot." So let's get this straight: writers traded in the traditional pilot season, the audition for their boldest ideas, for a cut of non-existent internet revenues. But don't be too harsh in judging their business acumen: this is why they're writers.

Colbert Welcomes Back Fave Writers Tiki Barber, Judy Miller

Pareene — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:59:47 EST

The writers strike ended! Stephen Colbert was so excited, he introduced his entire writing staff at the top of the show, inviting them on-stage and high-fiving each one. Tiki Barber, Mr. Met, Kevin Bacon, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and disgraced former Times star Judith Miller all ended up in the lineup too. We're just glad Judy's keeping busy!

Here's a list of when your TV shows are coming back

Ryan Tate — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 04:05:35 EST

30 Rock back April 10 with five episodes! 24 can't torture anyone until January 2009!! [EW]

Tina Fey Welcomes You Back To Glorious Scripted Television

Ryan Tate — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 08:11:28 EST

The writers strike is truly, finally, mercifully over. Here's what it means to you, the crazed television junkie hustling madly for your next fix: Writers come back right away for Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Tina Fey hustles Saturday Night Live back on the air Feb. 23rd as host while her show 30 Rock may or may not get five episodes out before the end of the season, depending on Alec Baldwin's availability. Scripted shows that will return at all this season will come back roughly between mid-March and mid-April, including CSI, Desperate Housewives, Two and a Half Men, the Office, Grey's Anatomy and House. Heroes probably returns in the fall, torture-fest 24 not until next year. The point is, start clearing space on your TiVo yesterday. After the jump, union booster Fey's 30 Rock character takes in a lesson in hardball negotiation tactics — for managers — in an episode the WGA probably did not watch closely enough.

[NYP, NYT]

Writers Strike Still Not Actually Over

Pareene — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:29:43 EST

The Writers Guild of America strike that has crippled our nation's entertainment industry these last few months will end today, once striking writers vote to approve the deal hammered out last weekend by their management and the producers' guild. Wouldn't it be funny if they rejected it, though? We're finally getting to the zero hour where the strike might affect films in production, not just crappy TV shows! This is their chance to wipe Hollywood off the face of the Earth! But they probably won't, because they all miss getting paid. In today's Times, David Carr asks, "who won"? Short answer: the writers! Truthful answer? Enjoy receiving internet residuals three years after the pilot you were unable to shop didn't get picked up, guys! (Of course, the strike cannot officially end until Bruce Vilanch sings.) [NYT] NB: Copy-editors strike continues!

Writers Strike End Talking Points: Everyone Lost

Pareene — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:34:50 EST

The writers strike is all but over after three long months, and following today's voting, writers are expected to get back to work by Wednesday. The strike cost Guild members about $270 million, and there will be a bloody and bitter renegotiation in three years. In the meantime, writers receive a flat fee for work that appears on the internets, and after three years "that fee becomes 2% of some of revenue the studios receive." And studios are very good at pretending they don't make any money on the internets. On the plus side, now the actors probably won't strike. And that would've actually shut down Hollywood.

The Screen Actor's Guild was planning a very painful contract negotiation sharing the demands of striking writers but predicated on the sad-but-truism that they matter quite a bit more for the continued profitability of show business. As the Times points out, film production has increased since the WGA strike began, as studios prepared for the "nuclear winter" of a combination writers' and actors' strike.

(SAG has quietly been involved in its own little battle with the more pragmatic [and less high-earning] American Federation of Television and Radio Artists regarding SAG's strength in the unions' joint negotiating committee. The WGA strike resolution mostly ended that little crisis too. NB: there is nothing more boring to write or read about than labor negotiations, even when those negotiations involve George Clooney and Hannah Montana.)

The WGA's west coast president called the walkout "the most successful strike in American labor in the past decade," which is ridiculously depressing and probably true. Until the great blogger strike of '09 that is!

Long National Nightmare Of Awful Television Almost Over

Ryan Tate — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:18:12 EST

It looks like the writers' strike is about to end. Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner said "it's over ... they shook hands," the Times has some deal terms, and writer Nikki Finke reports a deal has been negotiated, is being drafted and will be reviewed by members over the weekend. Soon, shaving cream will be flying off the shelves again in Hollywood and New York, and your sad days of intelligent, two-way interpersonal communication will be over. But it will be two to four weeks before most TV production resumes, according to a smart story rushed into the front of this week's as Entertainment Weekly, thanks to writers who have forgotten what is going on, who they are and what they are doing. A taste:

How I Met Your Mother creator Carter Bays has a really huge problem. ''It's been a long strike,'' he admits. ''I can barely remember all our characters' names, much less what we were planning to do with them. Is our show the one with Jim and Pam? If so, we'll probably have them hook up. Awkward!''

Actually, Carter, that would be The Office — but hey, it's great to hear you talking about getting back to work.

Taco Bell Expects Screenwriters To Work For Free Food

Sheila — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:43:10 EST

I've been on many a picket line, and what tends to happen is the whole community comes out in support of a strike: local bakeries offer free coffee and donuts, and area restaurants often stop by in the afternoon with foodstuffs. It's just the right thing to do. Taco Bell, that purveyor of food for harried workingmen everywhere, will do no such thing, according to Trading Markets. Instead, they are offering striking screenwriters the "chance to win free Taco Bell food by injecting fun and fresh bits of wisdom into the restaurant chain's iconic Border Sauce packets." They want them to work for free, basically, for the chance to win about $260 worth of food.

"Up to 10 wisdoms will be selected and hundreds of millions will be printed and appear in Taco Bell restaurants this Fall." How about a paycheck, you sleazy PR-addicted hacks? We'll see you in hell. Examples of previous proverbs:

The road to mediocrity is littered with empty ketchup packets.
Nice palm. I read a great deal of pleasure in your future.

Use your stomach, nacho mind.

If you throw this, would it be a flying saucer?

When I grow up, I want to be a waterbed.

"I Always Wanted to Write Novels Anyway:" Striking Screenwriters Explain It All

Sheila — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:25:43 EST

Now that they've conquered the market for snarky/bemused strike commentary, hungry screenwriters are finding new ways to pass the time and earn small amounts of money: novel-writing, as the LAT reports! What do we learn? Well, writing a book is different from writing a screenplay, for one. Also, we have projects like this to look forward to: the Rune Warriors, a "Viking saga that's a mix of Harry Potter and 'The Princess Bride' with a little Python thrown in."

The Writers Guild is gonna kill me for saying this, but a script is nothing more than a blueprint for a film," he said. "It's a road map and can't stand on its own; it needs others to make it a movie. Books are more holistic. They're less about plot and more about character, emotions, nuance. It's refreshing to just write about people for a change.

Scripts are all about economy and forward momentum, whereas novels can be big, baggy receptacles for a story. When I go back to screenwriting, I feel like I've been put back in my cage.

The [screenwriting] process is less than satisfying. You get tired and burned out, and I always wanted to write novels anyway. Authorial ownership of the words just doesn't happen with screenwriters. Everyone treats it [the script] as a suggestion.

Happy Striking Writers

Nick Denton — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:09:55 EST

This strike must be devastating, says a writer's empathetic friend. "Not at all," responds the writer. "Now I can just tell people I'm striking rather than simply unemployed."

New Bond Film Offers Only A Modicum Of Consolation

Pareene — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:13:06 EST

"It might not have quite the innuendo of For Your Eyes Only, or even the ooh matron oomph of Octopussy, but the title of the new James Bond film has finally been made public. And it is Quantum of Solace." [Guardian] How the hell will anyone sing a brassy pop song about that? (Your bloggers discuss, below.)

Josh: http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2246210,00.html
Pareene: wow
Pareene: that's worse than the new indiana jones
Josh: what does it even mean?
Pareene: i don't know!
Pareene: it sounds like a malcolm gladwell ripoff
Pareene: hah after reading the description of the fleming story i hope they keep it intact in the movie
Pareene: bond is a dick at dinner, the governor of the bahamas tells him a sad story, everyone learns a very important lesson. BOND WILL RETURN IN "A SMIDGEN OF COMFORT"
Josh: ha! "A Mote of Sympathy"

WGA, Producers Resume Talks

Pareene — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:58:22 EST

The AMPTP is having "informal discussions" with the WGA today. The losers: the people who actually, "secretly" write reality shows and, as always, the people who work in animation. Let the big dogs get their internet residuals! If the staffs of I Love New York and Dora the Explorer want benefits, they should work for real TV! [Yahoo]

NBC Hawks Props

Pareene — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:41:23 EST

Is NBC betting on the Writers Strike continuing indefinitely? A recent press release that might have nothing to do with anything could be construed as to suggest 'yes'! "SELECT ITEMS FROM NBC'S HOTTEST SHOWS TO BE FEATURED IN SECOND LIVE AUCTION" they announce. Starting Monday the 21st, head over to nbc.com to buy up unused "select items" from "Heroes," "The Office," "Friday Night Lights," "30 Rock" and (best of all!) "Las Vegas." Items getting auctioned listed below.

Heroes - "Charlie's" (Jayma Mays) Burnt Toast Diner waitress outfit (season I)
Heroes - "Sylar" (Zachary Quinto) standing over Isaac (55 x 36 print) (season I)
Heroes - "Niki" (Ali Larter) pounding on door (39 x 35 print) (season II)
Heroes - "Claire" (Hayden Panettiere) on autopsy table (45 x 27 print) (season I)

The Office - "Pam's" (Jenna Fischer) blouse and cardigan
The Office - "Michael's (Steve Carell) lucky tie
The Office - "Dwight Schrute" bobblehead (*), signed by Rainn Wilson

Friday Night Lights - #20 Game Jersey for "Brian 'Smash' Williams" (Gaius Charles)
Friday Night Lights - Panther State Championship Ring
Friday Night Lights - Football Playbook, signed by "Coach Taylor" (Kyle Chandler)

30 Rock - "Greenzo" T-shirt worn by background players
30 Rock - "Me Want Food" T-shirt
30 Rock - Mantle Clock background prop

Las Vegas - Montecito playing cards
Las Vegas - Montecito casino chips

Solidarity!

Pareene — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:38:54 EST

The strike is tough on striking writer Anna Fricke, as she reveals in a Times OpEd today. She's not even wearing pants! And she's watching the Food Network! And she can't even get drunk because she's pregnant. [NYT]

Directors Kill Writers Strike (Maybe)

Pareene — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:49:52 EST

The Directors Guild reached an agreement with the AMPTP, according to UPI and Variety. No details are available! But it might prove the end of the Writers Strike. The Directors presumably negotiated an internet residual deal with the Producers that will set a precedent that the writers will be more or less obligated to agree to. So everyone wins! Or loses! Who knows. Thank god we'll get some new House. Maybe he could've diagnosed Glenn Beck! It could've been Lupus! [UPI]

Brokaw Must Clear Elaborate Maze To Promote NBC News, Rescue Baby Brother

Pareene — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:09:51 EST

Conan O'Brien, still struggling to fill out a nightly talk show without his striking writers, came upon a cunning, time-wasting plan last night: forcing his guests to make it through a maze before sitting down with him. The first guest subjected to the cardboard labyrinth was venerated newsman Tom Brokaw. Brokaw was game, as you can see in the attached clip. SAG-affiliated actors across the entertainment industry are presumably thrilled the picket lines give them a better excuse to turn down Late Night than "I'm barely coordinated enough to intro a clip, let alone make it through a rat maze." [Late Night]

Writers Pushed To The Margins, As Usual

Nick Denton — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 16:12:28 EST

If the wearying writer's strike is finally to be resolved, this is how it will probably happen. The Directors Guild of America has begun negotiating on the movie makers' cut of online revenues; any deal would be a model for other groups such as the writers in their dispute with the Hollywood studios. Why are the directors any more likely to come to terms? Much of the membership of the Writers Guild of America was unemployed before the entertainment industry shutdown began. The directors' union is a more elite club; the movie makers want to get back to work, because they actually have projects.

People Aren't Watching More YouTube Because Of The Strike

Nick Douglas — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:24:28 EST

This YouTube site, it could be big! Pew Research says YouTube's grown 18% since the writers' strike began, and the BBC says that means people are looking to the web to fill the video void, a story bloggers predicted last fall. The New York Post claims the same. Wrong: YouTube's growth isn't much faster than usual; the site has enjoyed accelerating growth since it launched in 2005. In fact, it might have dropped off in January. Video sites Break.com and Veoh remain flat by comparison, and MySpace video hasn't grown enough to have much effect on the site as a whole. Maybe it's because web video resembles the still-running reality shows more than the scripted shows that suffer from the strike. But the growth of YouTube has nothing to do with the aborted TV season.

Statistics 101: You can't judge current growth without comparing it to earlier periods.

Alexa

Note that this is YouTube's traffic as a percentage of the whole Internet. The January dropoff? Maybe people are working online again, or maybe there's no easily packageable explanation.

Compete

Maybe a tiny bump — one that affects YouTube much less than its natural massive growth. Which is possibly an even more damning indictment of TV vs. the web.

The Beeb cites growth at Crackle.com, not exactly an industry leader. The Post says Revver has gone from 800 thousand views a day to 1.2 million (under three times the daily traffic of Gawker). Assuming this is because of the strike, these sites are still just a tiny corner of the Internet. The growth is unimportant in the long run, when the strike inevitably ends.

Dear media-beat journalists: Maybe the Internet isn't a direct replacement for TV! Maybe you shouldn't so readily take pitches from struggling video sites! Maybe you could find a better narrative! Maybe your insistence on this narrative is also a sad indictment of traditional media, but there's probably a chart to prove that wrong.

The Great Strike Debate

Pareene — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 08:30:32 EST

Each day you face important issues requiring informed opinons. At work! At cocktail parties! In bed with strangers! In these situations and so many more you are expected to talk about the things everybody's talking about. Let Gawker Videographer Alex Goldberg and Defamer Videographer Molly McAleer do the thinking for you, with Point/Counterpoint. Today's topic: the writers strike.

Gorilla Apologizes To Letterman, Demands Office Supplies

Pareene — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:22:40 EST

Gawker regular Brian Van shot this picture outside David Letterman's Ed Sullivan Theater. We saw that sketch last night (23 striking writers, a guy in a Spider-man suit, Moses, and a guy in a bear suit all fit in a Jamba Juice—classic stuff) and we still have no idea what this gentleman's sign is about.

Writers Do Matter! (Sorta)

Pareene — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:47:43 EST

Ever since the late night talk shows returned to the air, Leno has been beating Letterman in the ratings, as he has for a good dozen years. This despite Leno still working without his writers (a terrible, uncomfortable sight), all of whom are still on strike. Letterman's production company's deal with the WGA gave him back his staff, but hasn't awarded him a ratings edge—until Monday! "In the overnight ratings, measuring the country's 65 largest cities, Mr. Letterman had a 4 rating on Monday to Mr. Leno's 3.8. (Each point is worth 787,659 households.)." Of course, Leno still won the first half-hour. But once they brought the guests out, Letterman had America's favorite Oscar-whoring not-funny-anymore superstar Tom Hanks! Leno had Ron Paul. Enough to win an unscientific online poll, yes, but not to beat Forrest Gump in Nielsen households. So writers finally have some proof that their contributions are important! Specifically, their contribution of a sad picket line that SAG members and bleeding-heart superstars will hopefully continue to refuse to cross. [NYT]

Chris Beam Will Be Colbert's Next Non-Union Guest

Pareene — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:27:36 EST

Slate political reporter and IvyGate founder Chris Beam is going to appear on "The Colbert Report" tonight! He emailed all his friends! He's so excited to be crossing that picket line. Scab. (Email after the jump!)

From: Chris Beam
To: Chris Beam
Sent: Tuesday, January 8, 2008 2:18:07 PM
Subject: Colbert

Watch it tonight at 11:30. I'm on it!

I will probably regret sending this to so many people, since there's a good chance it ends in humiliation. But so be it.

Letterman Shaves Strike Beard!

Pareene — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:02:35 EST

On the same night that Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert returned to their shows sans writers, David Letterman, one of two late night hosts with his writing staff, finally shaved off his strike beard. With the help of a barber and a straight razor, Letterman returned from the commercial break with a smooth (if slightly bloodied) face. Also: Letterman guest Mike Huckabee, who graced Leno's first scabby show back from strike hiatus, got the coveted 12:30 a.m. segment, usually reserved for the return from the commercial break after the band plays in order to say goodnight and run credits. Burn?

Strike Beard Special!!!

Joshua Stein — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 02:13:10 EST

Yesterday we showed you our strike beard and asked you for yours. You responded with a pouring out of hair both touching and in a way disgusting. Our inbox was clogged with wiry black hairs that weren't ours. I'm sure the writers, however, appreciate it. After the jump our special bonus Strike Beard gallery. Send your beard to tips@gawker.com.

Bushiness: 8
Grooming: 10
Auto Color Adjusting in Photoshop:: 0

Bushiness: 0, More patches than a hippie's backpack.
Grooming: 4
Inspiration: 10, Jesus has your back. (Jesus is My Beard)

Bushiness: 8
Creepiness: 9
Awards Display: 10
Bushiness: 5
Jewiness: 10
Beards Into Deeds: 10, this is Seth Abramavich's beard, Sr. Editor at Defamer, our Hollywood site that has been following the strike so hard Seth hasn't even had time to shave.

Golden Globes Canceled!

Pareene — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:36:26 EST

The Golden Globes have been canceled due to the ongoing writers strike. "[T]he Hollywood Foreign Press Association instead will merely make an announcement of the winners," according to Nikki Finke. Exciting! We've learned to live without writers, but can we live without... awards shows? Do we want to live in that cold, red carpet-less place? With the football postseason drawing to a close, what will office pools be about in a world without awards shows? How will we know which forgotten character actors died last year without a mournful montage? What will the gays do? (Actually if they can manage to get a couple more awards shows canceled—and maybe replace them with encore presentations of the new American Gladiators—we might root for this strike to go on forever.) [Deadline Hollywood Daily]

2nd bigwig lib backs out of 'Colbert'

Pareene — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:16:49 EST

Now Naomi Klein turned down Colbert! Didn't anyone tell her and Katrina that the Colbert writers' "strike" is just an elaborate meta-media joke? No...? [NYO, Previously]

Striking writers face staff strike, unable to pen treatments exploring dramatic irony

Pareene — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:33:21 EST

Internecine fighting among those smug striking writers? The New York Post is thrilled! As they report today, the WGA East is facing strike action from their own paid staff. These Newspaper Guild-represented employees negotiated a new contract with WGA management last October, but it hasn't been signed yet. Staffers "claim WGA East Executive Director Mona Mangan revised the contract after it was ratified...." [NYP]

'Nation' Ed Won't Cross Picket Line For Colbert

Pareene — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:04:17 EST

Nation editor Katrina vanden Heuvel just became maybe the first invited guest to publicly decline to appear on a strike-hobbled Colbert Report, which returns to the air without its writers on January 7. It's going to be a sad January for a lot of liberals totally unaware of their dogmatic humorlessness. [NYO via No Fact Zone]

Graydon Carter will celebrate the Oscars, strike be damned

Pareene — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:14:55 EST

Vanity Fair will hold its annual Oscar party no matter what the situation of the WGA strike. If acrimony between producers and writers continues, the ceremony could be shortened and high-profile nominees could boycott it. We can dream. [FishbowlNY]

No Picket Line To Cross At Ed Sullivan Theater

Pareene — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 13:18:57 EST

Happy return of the Late Night talk shows day! Tonight, our long national vaguely annoying situation preceding the nightmares is over. Letterman, Conan, Leno, and the Scottish guy are all taping new episodes for air tonight. Above, Richard Blakeley photographed Letterman's Ed Sullivan theater, quietly free of picketing scribes—because Letterman's production company negotiated a deal with the WGA, meaning he gets staff-penned material and writer-sympathetic guests. Like Robin Williams tonight! Leno has former fatty and scary/affable GOP prez contender Mike Huckabee. If anyone spots any picket-crossing or writerly unrest outside the Conan studios, or anywhere else, let us know. Related: Dave Dumps Trump For Robin; Jay Says "Huck You!" By Booking Mike [Deadline Hollywood Daily]

Finke Photographed, Rewarded By 'Observer'

Pareene — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:20:36 EST

The Observer declared occasionally nutty but totally must-read WGA strike chronicler and studio nemesis Deadline Hollywood blogger Nikki Finke their "media mensch of the year." ALSO they found an ultra-rare kinda recent photo of her! Finke, who used to be the Observer's West Coast editor, is unapologetically on the side of the striking writers, though she has well-placed sources on both sides of the fight. Also this strike will never ever end, so we get to read a million passionate words from her about the bullshit-spewing hordes of soulless corporate ninnies at the AMPTP every day until the end of time, currently scheduled for January '09. [NYO]

Hungry Screenwriters Strike Out On Their Own

Sheila — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:15:10 EST

Now that they're on strike, it seems like screenwriters are busier and more productive than ever. But left to their own devices, it turns out that they are a distinctly unfunny bunch. Put a bunch of 'em in a room and eventually they'll write Six Feet Under, but in the end they're just monkeys—monkeys writing for the LA Times and New York mag and making their own blogs and getting all up on the HuffPo. Here's our Striking Screenwriter Roundup—clearly the work of simians. All they can think about is food!

Late Show With David Letterman writers strike blog: "...I have to say, it was arguably the finest sandwich I've ever enjoyed as a participant in a temporary work stoppage."

Writers Strike Guide: "What do we want?/More Twizzlers!/When do we want them?/Now!"

WGA member Neal Pollack speaks truth to power in Slate: "People kept bringing us boxes of doughnuts. A husband-and-wife team went on a Subway run. A car full of UTA assistants came by to offer us cookies." God, did you know that Alternadad got optioned? Well, it did!

"'And, if you look to your left, you'll see the TV writers' strike,' the [tour bus] guide said in the same adorable tone one would use to point out a petting zoo. People leaned over to take pictures. I thought they might start throwing feed pellets." [New York Post]

"Today, another little girl and her mom brought us these awesome cupcakes." [NY Mag]

In the words of a Daily Show writer: "Lacking any other site to express myself (for money), I am forced to record my thoughts in my diary: the 'New York Times' Sunday Styles section."

Honey, don't worry, that's pretty much what it is for the rest of the world too.